Target loading device for throwing machines



W. R. KEM P Dec 23, 1941.

TARGET LOADING DEVICE FOR THROWIN G MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct.21, 1940 FIG.I4.

INV EN TOR.

flaw 0 P H /u M A L. L m

Dec. 23, 1941. w. R. KEMP TARGET LOADING DEVICE FOR THROWING MACHINES 4Sheets-Sheet 2 r W 3 G M .fi l H 2 F I M a E G K I R F M "a m L 3 1 2 mL W 3 O a 5 m 4. 9 1 4 A 2 m 8 B 2 e b 5 t n c 2 O w a U. fl 9 F 5 5 3 m2 w m l n ,i I II f 7 m. a m w ATTORNEYS a; I I I In: 5

FIG.4.

Dec. 23, 1941. w. R KEMP 2,267,525

- TARGET LOADiNG DEVICE FOR THROWING MACHINES Filegi Oct. 21, 1940 4Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG.I2.

INVENTOR. WILLIAM R. KEMP ham M4 6 ATTORNEYS Dec. 23,1941.

TARGETLOADING DEVICE FOR THROWING MACHINES Filed Oct. 21, 1940 .4Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. WILLIAM R.KEMP

A TTORNE Y S w. R. KEMP 2,267,525

Patented Dee. 23, 1941 TARGET LOADING DEVICE FOR. THROWING MACHINESWilliam R. Kemp, Pontiac, Mich.

Application October 21, 1940, Serial No. 362,171

. 1 Claims.

This invention relates generally to target loading apparatus and refersmore particularly to a device for supplying targets to a throwingmachine of the type employed in trap or skeet shooting.

It is one of the principal objects of this invention to provide arelatively simple inexpensive loading device which will operateautomatically to deposit a target in its proper position on the swingingarm of a throwing machine prior to movement of the arm to throw thetarget.

Another feature of this invention consists in the provision of a loadingdevice capable of being operated in conjunction with a throwing machineand having means for depositing a target on the throwing arm of'themachine each time the arm is returned to its retracted or cookedposition.

A further object of this inventionresides in the provision of a loadingdevice wherein the target is supported throughout its movement towardthe throwing arm and is not released until it assumes aposition in closeproximity to the arm. As a result, the target is placed gently on thethrowing arm by the loading device, and this is important in cases wherethe targets are formed of a fragile material since it reduces breakageto a minimum.

A still further feature of this invention consists in providing aloading device capable of be- 1 ing used with throwing machines of thetype wherein the throwing arm is returned to its retracted or cookedposition by power means and, to this end, the invention contemplatesmeans operated in timed relation to movement of the throwing arm toinitiate operation of the loading device. t

The foregoing as well as other objects willbe made more apparent as thisdescription proceeds,

especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

Figure 1 isa perspective viewshowing a loading device constructed inaccordance with this invention as applied to a throwing machine;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through the apparatus illustratedin Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plane view of the apparatus shown in Figure ,1;

Figure 4 is a sectionalview taken substantial- 1y on the plane indicatedby the line G -t or Fig ure 3;

Figure 7 is a sectional viewtaken substantial- 1 ly on the planeindicated by Figure 3;

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken substantial ly on the plane indicatedby the line 8-8 of Figure 2; g r i Figure 9 is a cross sectional viewtaken substantially on the plane indicated by the line 9-9 of Figure 4;j i t Figure 10 is a rear elevational View illustrating the latchingmeans provided on the throwing machine for holding the throwing arm inits retracted position; i

Figure 11 is a fragmentary elevational View partly in section of thepower means for operating the throwing arm;

Figure 12 is abottom elevational view of a part of the target loadingapparatus shown in the line 'l--'| of Figure 1; r A

Figure 13 is a fragmentary elevational View of the driving mechanism forthe loading device;

Figure 14 is a plane view of the throwing'machine. V r

As shown in the several figures of the drawings,

my improved target loading device comprises a base l5 and a magazine I6supported in spaced relation to the base by means of a bracket ll. Itwill be noted from Figure 1 that the bracket is shaped to provideclearance for the swinging end of a target throwing arm l3, and the freeend of the bracket supports the magazine with its delivery end spaced asubstantial distance above the pivoted end of the arm [8. more fullyhereinafter set forth, the arm l8 forms a part of a target throwingmachine and the pivot or axis of swinging movement of the arm I8 isinclined with respe'ctto the vertical in a rearward direction at ananglepredetermined in dependence upon the elevation at which it isdesired to throw the targets. w

The magazine It is in the form of a semi-circular elongated memberinclined with respect to the vertical in the direction of the axis ofthe throwing arm so as to permit the targets stacked in the magazine tobe placed substantially flat on the throwing arm Hi. In the presentinstance, the targets are in the'form of discs which are commonlyreferred to as fbirds and are fragile so as to powder when-hit'squarely. In fact, the targets are so fragile that they are often brokenor cracked when placed on the throwing arm, and it is one of theimportant fea- As will be tures of this invention to reduce the breakageoccasioned by loading to a minimum.

Briefly, the above results are obtained by placing the targetssubstantially flat on the throwing arm and by supporting the targetsthroughout movement thereof from the discharge end of the magazine to aposition in such close proximity to the throwing arm (8 that thedistance the targets fall by gravity, when released from the supportingmeans, is-so slight that the resulting impact willnot crack or break thetargets.

With the above in mind, reference will now be made to Figure 3 of thedrawings wherein, it will be noted that the stack oftargets are held inthe magazine by a pair of shoes I9 respectively" pivotally mounted atopposite sides of the magazine at the lower end of the latter'forswinging movement transversely of the magazine'toward and away from eachother. The shoes are normally'urged in directions toward each other intogripping relation with opposite sides of the .two.

23-having the. ends respectively secured to the opposite edges of thesemi-circular magazine l3 above the rock shaft 2 l The-Width of theshoes issufiicientto grip the two bottom targets in the. magazine l6,"and the shoes are yieldably urged into grippingrelationshipj-with the,targets by means of a pair" of springs .24 surrounding .the rock shaft2| at opposite sides of the lugs 23: on the. shoes; As shown inFigure 5,theinner? ends of the springs 24 abut the lugs and the outer "ends ofthe springs are engageable with suitable stops 25 in the form of nutsthreaded on the rOckshaft 2|. Secured: tothe-rock shaft Zl atoppositesides of the bearing 22is a pair of cam members 26 having camportions 21 on the outer surfaces thereof respectively engageable withcam portions 28 formedon the lugs 20 of the shoes to spread the shoesapart upon rotation of the rock shaft 2| in one direction.

The rock shaft'is operated by means of a. cam 29 secured to a cam shaft30 extending transversely; of the magazine It in rear of the latter andjournaled in'bearings carried by the bracket l1. Upon reference toFigure 7, it will be noted that'the cam 29'is provided with a cam groove3| on the rear surface thereof of sufiicient width to receive a roller32 carried by the free end of an arm 33 having the opposite end'securedto the rockshaft 2 l. The contour of the cam groove 3! is suchthat'rotation of the cam: 29 in the direction of :the arrow A rocks theshaft 2| in the direction of the arrow B a suflicient distance toengagethe .cam portions 21 on the cams 26 with the cooperating stationary camportions 28 on the: shoes-and spread-the latter against the action ofthe springs-to release the targets. Continued rotation-of the. cam 29inthedirection of the arrow A rocks the shaft 2l in a reverse direction-todisengage the cam portions 2'! from the cam portions 28 and permit thesprings 24 to return the shoes into gripping relation with the targets.

When theshoes are released from-the targets, the latter are advancedbygravity and theloW- ermost target is deposited upon the free end of aswinging arm 34. The opposite end of the arm is hingedly connected to apivot pin 35 supported in bearings 36 carried by the rear end of a plate31 having the forward end welded or otherwise fixedly secured to therear side of the magazine IS. The forward or swinging end of the arm 34is provided with an annular portion having an internal diametersufiiciently greater than the exterior diameter of the targets to permitthe same to pass therethrough. However, as shown in Figure 12, thelowermost target is normally prevented from falling through the annularportionof the arm 34' by means of a pair of supporting members 38respectively positioned in slots 39' formed through opposite sides ofthe annular portion on the arm 34 and adapted to project into theannular portion a sufiicient distance to intercept the bottom target.Referring again to Figure 12, it will be noted that the supporting.members are respectively pivotedto the forward ends of suitable links 39having the rear endspivoted to the arm 34 by.means .of pivot pins '40-in the form of bolts. The supporting members 38 are normally held intheir innermost or target supportingpositions by means of a-coil spring4| having the opposite ends secured to the links 39:50 as to urge thelatter toward each other.

It should be understood at this time that the construction is such thatwhen the lowermost target is supported on the members 38 in the annularouter end portion of the arm 34, the

next succeeding target remains in the confines o of the-shoes l9 so'asto be gripped by the latter and; held in position in the magazine l3,As

stated above, the arm 34 is pivotedat its rear end to provide forswinging movement of the:

annular outer end portion relative to the lower end-of the magazine 16.After the lowermost target in themagazine is deposited on the supportingmembers 38' in the annular portion at the. swinging end of the arm 34,the latter is swung downwardly to a position in close proximity to theadjacent end of the throwing arm [8.

Uponreference to Figure 6, it will be noted that the arm 34 is swung bya cam 42' secured to the cam shaft 30 in opposed relationship to the cam29. In detail it will be noted that the cam 42 is-providedv with anannular groove 43 in the inner face thereof of sufficient width toreceive a roller 44 carried by an arm 45 pivoted at its rear end on thepin 35 and having the forward end connected to the corresponding end ofthe arm 34-by means of a link 43. The cam groove 43 is predeterminedlycontoured with respect to the cam groove 3| in the cam 2350 as to delaymovement of the arm '34 downwardly until the cam 29 has operated torelease the shoes and permit the lowermost target to assume a positiononthe supporting members 38.

Whenthe swinging end of the arm 34 appreaches a position directly abovethe pivoted endof the throwing arm H3 in close proximity to the latterend,,the supporting members 38 are moved in directions away from eachother against the action of the spring 4| to permit the target to droponto the throwing arm. Upon reference to Figure 8, it will be noted thatthe above is accomplished by means of a cam 41 having a wedge-shapedcontour and extending between the links 39 forwardly of the pivots 40.

The cam n is secured to the lower end of a.

threaded stud 4-3 which extends freely through the plate 31 and isprovided at the upper end The arrangementwith an adjustable stop 50. issuch that the cam 4'l.moves downwardly with the arm 34 until the stop 50abuts the top of the plate 31 whereupon, continued downward movement ofthe arm is effected relative to the cam members is released and isdropped onto the throwing arm. It will be noted that the distance thatthe target drops onto the supporting arm is so small that the resultingimpact is not sumcient to crack or break the target.

"The cam shaft 30 is driven by a suitable prime mover 5| in the form ofan electric motor having a drive shaft operatively connected to apowertake-off shaft 52 through the medium of suitable gear reductionmechanism 53. As shown in Figure 4, the shaft 52 is operativelyconnected to a driven shaft 54 through the medium of a clutch 55normally urged into engagement by means of a spring 56. It will, also,be noted that the driven shaft is provided with a sprocket wheel 51adapted to be connected to acorresponding sprocket wheel 58 onthe camshaft by means of a'chain 59.

Referring again to Figure 4, it will be noted that the action of thespring 56 to engage the clutch is counteracted by means of a cam 68driven by the driven shaft 54 and having a cam ment toward and away fromthe cam 60 andis normally urged toward the cam by means of a relativelyweak spring 63. The spring 56 is of considerably greater strength thanthe spring63 and, as a result, the cam 60 together with the driven shaft54 and the plunger 62 is urged in a direction to engage the clutch.However, the action of the spring 56 to accomplish the above result isprevented by means of a dog mounted on a rock shaft 66 in a position toabut the inner end of the plunger 62. i

The above arrangement is such that when the dog 65 is rocked out ofengagement with the inner end of the plunger, the spring 56 engages theclutch, and the driven shaft is rotated. Initial rotation of the drivenshaft moves the cam surface 6| on the cam beyond the outer end of theplunger 62 and permits the spring 63 to move the plunger outwardly asufiicient distance to allow the dog 65 to return to its operativeposition in abutting engagement with the inner end of the plunger. Inthis connection, it will be noted that the dog is returned to itsoperative position by the weight of the trip lever 61 secured to therock shaft 66. As the cam 66 continues its rotation, the cam face 6!again comes in contact with the outer end of the plunger and, since thelatter is prevented from moving inwardly by thedog 65, it follows thatthe driven shaft is moved against the action of the spring 56 todisengage the clutch 55. From the foregoing, it will be observed thatoperation of the loading device is initiated by moving the trip 61 in anupward direction to swing the dog 65 outof abutting enforillustratinglthe invention is practically identical in construction tothemachine illustrated in the Schweriri Patent 2,078,166 dated April 20,1937, and accordingly, need not be described in detail. herein. However,it is to be understood that the loading device previously described isby no means limited to the particular type of throwing machine shown,and may be advantageously employ'edin connection with practicallyanytype of throwing machine having a throwing arm, regardless of whetherthe latter is manually or power driven.

In general, the machine ll] includes the target throwingarm l8. As shownin Figure 2, the end of the arm [8, directly beneath the magazine I6, issecured to the upper end of a substantially verticalshaft H. The shaft His journaled in bearings 12 carried by a housing 13 which, in turn, ismounted upon the base portion 14 of the bracket H. In this connection,it will be noted that the bracket I1 is pivotally connected to the base15 by means of a horizontal pin 15 and is normally held from swingingmovement about the axis of. the pinby means of a locking knob 16. As aresult'of this construction, the angular inclination of the shaft IIwith respect to the vertical may be varied to change the elevationarmlis connected to one end of a strong spring 86 having the oppositeend suitably anchored on the bracket IT. AS shown in Figure 14, thecrank 19 is secured to the lower end of the shaft II in such relationthat when the throwing arm is in its retracted position, the crank isslightly beyond dead center and holds the throwing arm against the triplatch 8|. Upon reference to Figure 10, it will be noted that thelatch BIis supported for swinging movement in a downward direction relative tothe throwing arm out of the path of travel of the latter and is normallyheld against downwardswinging movementby a rock arm 82 secured to a rockshaft83. The upper end of the rock arm 82 is held in engagement with thelatch 8! by means of a spring 84 normally urging the lower end of therock arm against a fixed stop 85. Referring now to Figure 11 of thedrawings, it will be noted that an arm 86 is secured to the rock shaft82 intermediate the ends thereof and is connected by means of a link 81to a solenoid 88 connected in an electric circuit with a suitablepushbutton control (not shown).

The above arrangement is such that when the solenoid 88 is energized,the rock shaft 83 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction to move theupper end of the arm 82 out of the path of travel of the latch 8|. As aresult, the latch 8| drops by gravity out of the path of travel of thethrowing arm l8 and the latter isswung through its throwing angle tohurl the targets into the air with a high rate of speed. In thisconnection, it will be noted thatthe throwing armis provided with a rail89 which engages the peripheral edges of the targets and imparts a highspeed of rotation thereto as they are thrown by the arm into the air;

The set screws 18 comprise manually op-' The throwing :arnr 1 I 8 L isreturned ro: its tcocked: position-by mGaHSTOfI an electric :motor '90suit ably supported upon the base14I -of the bracket I1 andlhaving adrive shaft 9I operatively connected to the shaft "'II throughthem'ediumrof reduction gearing 92. As shown inFigures 2 and 11, thereduction gearing includes a gear93 secured to the hub of a suitableratchetwheel 94 which; in turn, is freely. rotatably mounted on the:shaft- II; As a result, the reductiongear 93 and ratchet 94 are rotatedby'themotor 90 relative to the shaft II;

The shaft 'II is operatively,connectedrto the motor 90 by means of acage 95 keyed to the shaft II and having a pawl 96- pivotally connectedthereto. A spring 91 compressed between the pawl 96 and the end of thecage 95: urges the pawl into engagement. with. the teeth of the ratchetwheel. Acam surface 98 on the tail of the .pawl' contacts with a roller99Jlocated. in a. recessiin the housing 113 and-serves toi cam thethemotor 90 when the crank I9 assumes itsop-- erative position. The armI8 moves. at a much faster speed than the rotativespeed of the ratchetwheel 90 during the throwing movement of the arm and, asa result,thepawl ratchets over' the teeth of the ratchet wheel. However, when therotative speed of the throwing arm I8 and the shaft II slows down to thespeed of the ratchet wheel, the pawl engages the ratchet teeth, and theshaft II is rotated with the ratchet wheel to again tension the spring80 and move the throwing arm I8 back to itscocked position.

In order that my improved target loading device will operate in timedrelation to return movement of the arm to its cocked position to deposita target on the arm, I provide means for actuating the trip 61 toinitiate the operation of the throwing device as the arm is returned toits cocked position. The above may be accomplished in' a relativelysimple manner by providing a bracket I90 on the swinging end of the armhaving" an abutment IIlI located to engage the free end of the trip 67when the arm approaches its retracted position. In Figure 13, the arm I8is shown-in a position wherein the abutment I 0| engages the free end ofthe trip 61, and itwill be noted-from this figure that continuedmovementof the arm to its cocked position causes the abutment IGIto-swing the trip 61 against the action of the spring I02 to the dottedline position shown. As a result, the dog 65 releases the plunger 62'andpermits the spring 56 to engage the clutch 55 and start the loadingmechanism. As soon as the arm I8 reaches its cocked position, the springI02 returns the tripto its full line position. shown in Figure 13and thedog, again assumes its position in engagement with the free end of theplunger. 62.

Operation With. the above construction, it will be noted that as thethrowing arm approaches its cocked position, the abutment IBI engagesthe free end of the trip 61 and rocks the shaft 66 to swing the/lug 65out of engagement with the inner end of the plunger 62. As a result, theplunger is freeto move inwardly under the action of .the spring 56 andthe latter engages theclutch55 to connect the driven shaft with theelectric motor. 5 I It will be apparent 1 from the a above descriptionthat rotation of the driven.: shaft placement of the plunger 62 axiallyoutwardly permits the spring I02 to rock the shaft=66 in.

a direction toreturn the lug ,65 in engagement with the inner end of theplunger 62. Thus, when the cam surface 6| on the cam again ;en-. gagesthe outer end of the plunger 62, the latter is prevented from inwardmovement, and the driven shaft 54 is'displaced axially against theaction of the spring56 to release the clutchs55. Rotation of the camshaft 30 by the driven shaft 54 effects a corresponding rotation of the-As the cam 29 is'rotated, the

cams 29 and 42. cam groove 3I cooperates with the link 33 to release theshoes I9 from the two bottom targets in the magazine I6. the magazineare dropped by'gravity and' the lowermost target is intercepted by thesupporting members 38 carried by the swinging end ofthe arm .34. As soonas the lowermost target in the magazine is dropped into engagementwiththe supporting members 38, the shoes are returned bythe springs 24 intogripping-relationship with the-next succeedingtarget so as to againsupport the stack of targets in the magazine I6.

After the shoes are returned into clamping engagement with the targetsdirectly above the. target previously released, the cam 42 lowers theswinging end of the arm 34 to aposition wherein the target carriedthereby is in close proximity to the throwing arm I8. As the swingingend of the arm 34' approaches the throwing arm, the cam 4'! operates torelease the supporting members 38 from the target and thereby permitsthe latter to drop onto the supporting arm. It should be understood thatthe cam 41 does not release the supporting members from the target untilthe target assumes a position in close proximity to the throwing arm sothat there'will be no danger of cracking or breaking the target when thelatter is deposited on the throwing arm;

Continued rotation of the cam 42 returns the swinging end of the arm 34to its initial starting position adjacent the discharge end of themagazine I6. As the arm 34 is swung upwardly, the

cam 41 releases the supporting members 38 and the spring 4| returns thesupporting members to positions wherein they will again intercept atarget released by the shoes.

When the swinging end of the arm is returned to its position adjacentthe discharge end of the magazine I6, the cam surface 6| on the cam 60engages the outer end of the plunger 62 and moves the driven shaft 54axially against the spring 56 a sufiicient distance .to disengage theclutch 55. It will be understood that as soon as the target is.deposited upon the throwing arm,

the. throwing machinemay be operated to swing- In- As a result,the-targets in plicable to practically any type of target throwingmachine regardless of whether the later is manually operated or powerdriven. It may, also, be pointed out at this time that while I haveshown two motors for respectively operating the throwing machine andloading device, nevertheless, it will be apparent that both machines maybe operated from a single source of power if desired.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a loading device for throwing machines having a target throwinglement, means for supporting a stack of targets above the throwingelement in spaced relation thereto, means for peri odically releasingthe target from the supporting means, means positioned in closeproximity to the lowermost target on the supporting means forintercepting the target released from the supporting means and forsupporting the target above the throwing element and means for movingthe target intercepting means from a position adjacent the targetsupporting means to a position in close proximity to the throwingelement.

2. In a loading device for throwing machines having a target throwingelement, a magazine having the delivery end spaced above the throwingelement and adapted to contain a stack of targets, means forperiodically releasing a target from the delivery end of the magazine, amember positioned in close proximity to the delivery end of the magazinefor intercepting the target released from the latter, means for movingsaid member with the target thereon from a position adjacent thedelivery end of the magazine to a position in close proximity to thethrowing element, and means operable upon movement of said member to aposition in close proximity to the throwingelement to release the targetfrom said member.

3. In a loading device for throwing machines having a target throwingelement,a magazine having the delivery end spaced above the throwingelement and adapted to contain a stack of targets, means forperiodically releasing the lowermost target in said stack to permit thesame to drop by gravity from the delivery end of the magazine, an armmounted for swinging movement from a position adjacent the delivery endof the magazine to a position in close proximity to the throwingelement, means carried by the arm for intercepting the target releasedfrom the delivery end of the magazine and for supporting said targetduring the movement of the arm toward the throwing element, andmeansresponsive to swingingmovement of the arm to a position in closeproximity to the throwing element to release said supporting means anddeposit the target on said throwing element.

4. In a loading device for throwing machines having a target throwingelement a magazine having the delivery end spaced above the throwingelement and adapted to contain a stack of targets, means for releasingthe lowermost target in the stack to permit the same to drop by gravityfrom the delivery end of the magazine, a pair of members positioned atopposite sides of the delivery end of the magazine to intercept thetarget released from the delivery end of the magazine and adapted tosupport said target, said members being movable from a position adjacentthe delivery end of the magazine to a position in close proximity to thethrowing element and also being movable away from each other to releasethe target, means operating in timed relation to releasing the lowermosttarget in the magazine to move said members to a position in closeproximity to the throwing element, and means responsive to movement ofthe members to a position in close proximity to the throwing element tomove the members away from each other and release the target.

5. In a loading device for throwing machines having a target throwingelement, a magazine having the delivery end spaced above the throwingelement and adapted to contain a stack of targets, means forperiodically releasing the lowermost target in said stack to permit thesame to drop by gravity from the delivery end of the magazine, a pair ofmembers positioned at opposite sides of. the delivery end of themagazine for intercepting a target released from the delivery end of themagazine and for supporting said target, said members being movable froma position adjacent the delivery end of the magazine to a position inclose proximity to the throwing element and also being movable indirections away from one another to release the target, yieldable meansresisting movement of the members away from each other, and a camresponsive to movement of the members to a position in close proximityto the throwing element to engage the members and move the latter awayfrom each other sufiiciently to release the target therefrom.

6. In a loading device for throwing machines having a target throwingelement, a magazine having the delivery end spaced above the throwingelement and adapted to contain a stack of targets, means forperiodically releasing the lowermost target in the stack to permit thesame to drop by gravity from the delivery end of the magazine, an armpivotally supported for swinging movement from a position adjacent thedelivery end of the magazine to a position in close proximity to thethrowing element, a pair of links pivoted to the arm for swingingmovement transversely of the arm toward and away from each other andhaving members at the free ends thereof positioned adjacent oppositesides of the delivery end of the magazine to intercept a target releasedfrom the magazine and to support said target, yieldable means normallyurging the links in directions toward each other to hold said members intarget supporting position; means operating in timed relation to thetarget releasing means to swing the arm to a position in close proximityto the throwing element, a cam located between the links and responsiveto movement of the arm to a position in close proximity to the throwingelement to move the links in directions away from each other asufiicient distance to release the target from the supporting members,and means for adjusting the cam means to vary the interval at which thelatter operatesto release said target from the supporting members.

'7. In a loading device for throwing machines having a target throwingelement, a magazine having the delivery end spaced above the targetthrowing element and adapted to contain a stack of targets, means at thelower end of the magazine engageable with the lowermost targets tosupport said targets in the magazine and releasable to permit thetargets to drop by gravity, cam controlled means for periodicallyreleasing the target holding means to permit a target to be dropped fromthe delivery end of the magazine, a pair of members positioned atopposite sides of the delivery end of the magazine for intercepting andsupporting a target dropped from the delivery end of the magazine, saidmembers being movable fromca position adjacent thedelivery end of themagazine to a position in close proximity to the throwing element andalso being movable in directions away from each other to release thetarget supported thereby, cam controlled means for moving the membersfrom the delivery end of the magazine to a position in close proximityto the throwing element in timed relation to the operation of the firstnamed cam controlled means to release a target from the magazine, andadditional cam controlled means operating in timed relation to movementof the members to apposition in closeproximity to the throwing elementto move said members away from each other and release the targettherefrom.

8. In a loading device for throwing machines having a target throwingelement, a magazine having the delivery end spaced above the throwingelement and adapted to contain a stack of targets, a pair of shoemembers pivotally supported at opposite sides of the magazine adjacentthe delivery end thereof and normally urged into engagement with thelowermost target in the staclrfor supporting the latter, means forperiodically moving the shoe members away from each other tosuccessively release the targets in said stack, means movable from aposition immediately adjacent the delivery end of the magazine to aposition in close proximity to the throwing arm and operable in thefirst named position to intercept the targets released by the shoemembers, and means for releasing the targets from the last named meanswhen the latter assumes a position in close proximity to the throwingelement.

'9. In a loading device for throwing machines having a target throwingelement, a magazine having the delivery end spaced above the throwingelement and adapted to contain a stack' of targets, a pair of shoemembers pivotally supported at opposite sides of the magazine adjacentthe delivery end of said magazine and normally urged into engagementwith the lowermost targets in the stack to support the latter, means forperiodically moving the shoe members away from each other to release thetargets, a member positioned adjacent the delivery end of the magazineto intercept the lowermost target and support the latter during returnmovement of the shoes toward each other into clamping engagement withthe next adjacent target, said member being movable from a positionadjacent the delivery and of the magazine to a position in closeproximity to the throwing element, and cam means for operating the shoesand said member in timed relation to each other.

10. In a loading device for throwing machines having a target throwingelement, a magazine having the delivery end spaced above the throwingelement and adapted to contain a stack of targets, a pair of shoespivotallysupported at opposite sides of the magazine adjacent thedelivery end of the latter and yieldably urged into clamping engagementwith the lowermost target in the stack to support the latter, means forperiodically moving the shoes in directions away from each other torelease the lowermost target in the stack, an arm supported forswingingmovement from a position adjacent thedelivery end of the stack to aposition in close proximity to'the throwing element, a pair of memberscarried by the arm at opposite sides of the latter in positionsto'intercept' the target released by .the

shoes and movablerelative' to the. arm away from eachother, yieldablemeans normally resisting movement of the members away fromeach other,means operating in timed relation to the shoe releasing means to swingthe arm to a position in close proximity to the throwing element,-andmeans responsive to movement of the arm tov a position in closeproximity to the throwing element to move said members away from eachother and release the target therefrom.

11. In a loading device for throwing machines having a target throwingelement movable between retracted and extended positions, a magazinehaving the delivery end spaced above the throwing element and adapted tocontain a stack of targets, means for periodically releasing the targetsto permit the lowermost target in the stack to drop from the deliveryend of the magazine, means for intercepting the target released from thestack and for supporting said target in a position spaced above thethrowing element, means for moving the target supporting means to aposition in close proximity to the throwing element in the retractedposition of the latter and for depositing the target on the throwingelement, and means controlled by the throwing element as the latter ismoved to its retracted position to operate the target releasing andsupporting means in timed relationship.

12. In a loading device for throwing machines having a target throwingelement movable between retracted and extended positions, a magazinehaving the delivery end spaced above the throwing element and adapted tocontain a stack of targets, means for periodically releasing the targetsto permit the lowermost target to drop from the delivery end of themagazine, a member positioned .to intercept the target released from themagazine and supported for swingingvmovement from a position adjacentthe delivery end of the magazine to a position in close proximity to thethrowing element, means operating in timed relation to movement of themember to a position in close proximity .to the throwing element torelease the target supported hereby, and means operated by the targetthrowing element as the latter is moved vto its retracted position tooperate said member and the first named target releasing means in timedrelationship.

13. In a loading device for throwing machines having a target throwingelement movable between retracted and extended positions, a magazinehaving the delivery end spacedwabove the throwing element and adapted tocontain astack of targets, means-for periodically releasing the targetsto permitthe lowermost target todrop from the delivery end ofthemagazine, means for intercepting the target dropped from the.delivery-end of the-magazine and for conveying said'target toaposition'in ,close proximity to the throwing element, airevoluble .camshaft having a pair of 1 cams-respectively:operatively connected to thetarget releasing means and the conveying means for operating the lattermeans in timed relationship, and means controlled by movement of thethrowing element to its retracted position for effecting rotation of thecam shaft.

14. In a loading device for throwing machines having a target throwingelement movable between retracted and extended positions, a magazinehaving the delivery end spacedabove the throwing element andadaptedto'contain a stack of targets, means for periodically releasing thetargets to permit the lowermost target to'drop from the deliveryend ofthe magazine, means for intercepting the target dropped from thedelivery end of the magazine and movable between the delivery end of themagazine and throwing element for conveying said target to a position ina drive shaft operatively connected to the cam shaft through, the mediumof a, clutch, means operated by the throwing element as the latterapproache its retracted position to engage the clutch and drive the camshaft, and means operating in timed relation to return movement of theconveying means to a position adjacent the delivery end of the magazinefor disengaging said clutch.

15. In a loading device for throwing machines having a target throwingelement movable between retracted-and extended positions, a magazinehaving the delivery end spaced above the throwing element and adapted tocontain a stack of targets, means at the delivery end of the magazinefor releasing the targets to permit the lowermost target to drop fromthe delivery end of the magazine, means for intercepting the targetdropped from the delivery end of the magazine and movable between thedelivery end of the magazine and throwing element for conveying thetarget to a position in close proximity to the throwing element, meansoperated by the throwing element as the latter approaches its retractedposition to operate the target releasing means and the target conveyingmeans in timed relationship, and means responsive to return movement ofthe conveying means to a positionadjacent the delivery end of themagazine to discontinue the operation of said last named means. I

16. In a loading device for throwing machines having a target throwingelement movable betwen retracted and extended positions, a magazinehaving the delivery end spaced above the throwing element and adapted tocontain a stack of targets, means for periodicallyreleasing the targetsto permit the lowermost target to drop from the delivery end of themagazine, means for intercepting the target dropped from the deliveryend of the magazine and movable between the delivery end'of the magazineand throwing element for conveying said target to a position in closeproximity to the throwing element, a revoluble cam shaft having a pairof cams respectively operatively connected to the target releasing meansand the conveying means for operating the latter means in timedrelationship, a continuously rotating drive shaft, a driven shaftoperatively connected to the cam shaft, a clutch between the drivenshaft and drive shaft, yieldable means normally urging the clutch intoengagement, trip mechanism normally preventing the operation of theyielding means to effect engagement of the clutch and operated by thethrowing element as the latter approaches its retracted position topermit engagement of the clutch by the yieldable means, and meansresponsive to return movement of the conveying means to a positionadjacent the delivery end of the magazine for releasing said clutch.

WILLIAM R. KEMP.

